The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went head to head in The King’s Cup, raising awareness and funds for eight of Their Royal Highnesses’ patronages.

Tusk was today awarded first place in the inaugural regatta, with ambassador, Bear Grylls, collecting the historic trophy on stage on behalf of the charity at a prize giving ceremony along Cowes’ seafront.

The King’s Cup trophy awarded to the winning team, was first presented by King George V at Cowes’ Royal Yacht Squadron in 1920.

In this year’s race, The Duke competed on behalf of Child Bereavement UK and The Duchess on behalf of the Early Years programme delivered by The Royal Foundation.

Their Royal Highnesses were joined by Fara Williams for Centrepoint, Dan Snow for London’s Air Ambulance Charity, Bear Grylls for Tusk, John Bishop for Action on Addiction, Katie Thistleton for Place2Be, and Helen Glover for the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.

Thousands of spectators visited the SailGP Race Village to watch The King’s Cup racing and prize giving, with many families enjoying face painting, stilt walkers, and children’s entertainers.

The Duke and Duchess are strong advocates for sport, and have undertaken work both in the UK and overseas to highlight the positive impact that sport can have on the individual and within local communities.

The Duchess in particular champions how the benefits of sport, nature and the outdoors can impact childhood development, and lead to improved physical and mental wellbeing for all.

Their Royal Highnesses hope that The King’s Cup will become an annual event, bringing greater awareness to the wider benefits of sport, whilst also raising support and funds for the causes that The Duke and Duchess support.